Mount Washington

The downtown area of Pittsburgh is flat, as you might imagine with the three rivers running through it.    However, on the southern side of the Mon and Ohio rivers, there is Mount Washington, which probably protects the downtown area from the worst of any weather coming up from the south west too - every day that I've been in town, the area forecast has been for thundery showers and yet not a sign of any rain at all.  I walked through the culutral district of the centre of town and then crossed one of the bridges to the base of the hill.  The hill is so steep, that the road has to wind its way up from side to side rather than going directly up.  The major routes have a tunnel to go straight through.  I took a ride on the funicular railway up the incline to the top and walked along to the viewing points.  There is an excellent view of Pittsburgh from the top and it's the best place for a view of the confluence of the three rivers, of the downtown area, of PNC Park and of course of Heinz Field where the Pittsburgh Steelers play.  Although it was warm and sunny, there was a pleasant breeze up on top of the hill.  After walking about a bit and taking some photos, I went back down the funicular railway and took the transit back to the centre of town in order to make my dinner reservation at The Capital Grille.  I had a sirloin steak with a coffee sauce, which seems odd, but it was extremely nice, although expensive.

Pittsburgh is still being regenerated and there's some way to go yet for it to become a fixture on the tourist trail, but by all reports, it's made great progress - and the Pirates have a fabulous facility which is a pleasure to visit.